Common Errors in English Usage with Explanations - Part 43

Explanation : Many people, struggling to remember the phrase 'highly regarded', come up with the awkward 'highly looked upon' instead, which suggests that the looker is placed in a high position, looking down, when what is meant is that the looker is looking up to someone or something admirable.

I like ice tea. (wrong)

I like iced tea. (correct)

Explanation : Iced tea is not literally made of ice, it simply is 'iced'. It has ice put into it.

His lecture was impactful. (wrong)

His lecture made an impact. (correct)

Explanation : Many people in business and education like to speak of things that have an impact as being 'impactful', but this term does not appear in most dictionaries. Use 'influential' or 'effective' instead.

I like this despite of its price. (wrong)

I like this in spite of its price. (correct)

Explanation : Although 'in spite of' is perfectly standard English, some people prefer 'despite' because it is shorter. Be careful not to mix the two together by saying 'despite of' except as part of the phrase 'in despite of' meaning 'in defiance of'. And not that unlike 'despite,' 'in spite' should always be spelled as two separate words.

He has been indited with a crime. (wrong)

He has been indicted with a crime. (correct)

Explanation : 'Indite is a rare word meaning 'to write down'. Authorities indict a person charged with a crime. This act is called an 'indictment'. The 'C' is not pronounced in these words, so that 'indict' sounds exactly like 'indite', but don't let that cause you to misspell them.

He is in store for a surprise on his birthday. (wrong)

A surprise is in store for him on his birthday. (correct)

Explanation : Some people say things like 'he is in store for a surprise on his birthday' when then mean he is in line for a surprise. The metaphor is not based on the image of going shopping in a store but of encountering something awaiting you - stored up for you - so the correct form would be 'a surprise is in store for him on his birthday'.

After the earthquake everything was in tact in his house. (wrong)

After the earthquake everything was intact in his house. (correct)

Explanation : When something survives undamaged, whole, it is not 'in tact' but 'intact' - one word, unbroken.

He met him in route. (wrong)

He met him en route. (correct)

Explanation : 'En route' is a French phrase meaning 'on the way'.

My teacher tried to install courage in me. (wrong)

My teacher tried to instill courage in me. (correct)

Explanation : You 'install' equipment, you 'instill' feelings or attitudes.

Infact this is the truth. (wrong)

In fact this is the truth. (correct)

Explanation : 'In fact' is always two words.

Irregardless of what you say I will help him. (wrong)

Regardless of what you say I will help him. (correct)

Explanation : Regardless of what you have heard, 'irregardless' is a redundancy. The suffix '-less' at the end of the word already makes the word negative. It doesn't need the negative prefix 'ir-' added to make it even more negative.